Decoding Coffee Drinks: How to Make and Order Your Favorite Coffee
Navigating a coffee menu can feel overwhelming, especially with so many different drinks to choose from. Whether you're at a café or brewing at home with our 100% Hawaiian Coffee, knowing the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino can help you order with confidence and perfect your favorite drinks at home. In this guide, we'll break down popular coffee drinks and provide tips on how to make them at home using Kauai Coffee beans.
Black Coffee (Drip Coffee)
Black coffee, or drip coffee, is the simplest way to enjoy the pure taste of coffee. It's brewed by pouring hot water over coffee grounds, allowing the water to drip through a filter and into a carafe.
Grind Size: Medium grind for drip coffee machines.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Kauai Coffee Medium Roast is perfect for drip coffee due to its smooth and balanced flavor.
At-Home Brewing: You'll need a drip coffee machine and paper or reusable filters. Drip coffee is a no-fuss option for daily coffee drinkers who want to enjoy the natural flavors of their beans.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is simply drip coffee that's brewed hot and then cooled over ice. It retains the full flavor of your brewed coffee but with a refreshing chill.
Grind Size: Medium grind for drip brewers, coarse grind for French Press
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Try Coconut Caramel Crunch for a tropical twist to your iced coffee.
At-Home Brewing: Brew your coffee as normal and let it cool slightly before pouring it over ice. Add milk or sweeteners to taste.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours. The result is a smooth, less acidic coffee concentrate that's served cold.
Grind Size: Coarse grind.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Any Dark Roast Kauai Coffee will make a delicious cold brew with a bold, smooth taste.
At-Home Brewing: Combine 3/4 cup of coarse ground coffee for every 25 ounces (about 3 cups) of cold, filtered water in a large jar or pitcher. Let it steep in the fridge for 12-16 hours, then strain. Serve over ice with water, milk, or cream.
Espresso (Ristretto, Doppio, Lungo)
Espresso is the base of many coffee drinks and comes in various forms:
- Ristretto: A short shot of espresso that's more concentrated.
- Doppio: A double shot of espresso.
- Lungo: A "long" shot of espresso with more water, resulting in a less intense flavor.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Poipu Estate Espresso Roast provides the perfect balance for all espresso styles.
At-Home Brewing: An espresso machine or Moka pot is essential. Each variation depends on how much water you use. Don't have an espresso machine? Check out this article for more ways to make espresso at home without a machine.
Americano
An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water. It's similar to drip coffee but has a bolder, richer flavor due to the espresso base.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: The combination of medium and dark roast beans in Kauai Breeze creates a rich, complex espresso that makes an excellent Americano.
At-Home Brewing: An espresso machine or a stovetop espresso maker (Moka pot) works best. Brew a double shot of espresso and dilute it with hot water to your desired strength.
Hot Latte
A latte is a combination of one or two shots of espresso and steamed milk topped with a light layer of foam. It's creamy and can be flavored with syrups.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Use Rooster Alarm for a strong base.
At-Home Brewing: You'll need an espresso machine and a milk frother to create the steamed milk. To make a latte without an espresso machine, use a Moka pot or AeroPress to brew the espresso and heat your milk separately.
Iced Latte
An iced latte is espresso mixed with chilled milk and poured over ice. It's a lighter, refreshing alternative to a hot latte.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Try Kauai Sunrise for a lighter, tropical iced latte.
At-Home Brewing: Brew your espresso, then cool it slightly. Pour it over ice and add cold milk.
Flat White
Description: A flat white consists of espresso and steamed milk, with a finer micro foam than a latte, creating a smooth texture. It's less foamy and more espresso-forward.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Kauai Coffee Kalaheo Estate works well for a balanced flat white.
At-Home Brewing: You'll need an espresso machine and a milk frother. Make your espresso, then pour steamed milk with a very thin layer of silky foam.
Cortado
A cortado is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, making it a smaller, stronger drink than a latte.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Use Kauai Blue Mountain for a flavorful cortado.
At-Home Brewing: Use an espresso machine or Moka pot and steam your milk to a smooth consistency.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. It has a richer, denser foam than a latte.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Kauai Coffee Typica Dark Roast is excellent for a robust cappuccino.
At-Home Brewing: Brew your espresso, steam your milk, and use a frother to create a thick foam layer.
Mocha
A mocha is essentially a latte with chocolate syrup or powder added. It's topped with whipped cream and sometimes sprinkled with cocoa powder.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: For a chocolatey treat, try Kauai Coffee Chocolate Macadamia Nut.
At-Home Brewing: Brew espresso, steam your milk, and mix in chocolate syrup. Top with whipped cream.
Macchiato
A macchiato is an espresso with a small amount of steamed milk, just enough to "mark" the espresso.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Use Peaberry Dark Roast for a bold macchiato.
At-Home Brewing: Make your espresso and add a small dollop of foamed milk on top.
Breve
A breve is like a latte but made with half-and-half instead of milk, resulting in a richer, creamier texture.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Try Kauai Coffee Peaberry Medium for a bright and full-flavored breve.
At-Home Brewing: You'll need an espresso machine and a frother for the half-and-half.
Dirty Chai
A dirty chai is a chai latte with a shot of espresso added. It's spicy, creamy, and caffeinated.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Use Polihale Sunset for a rich and flavorful dirty chai with a hint of natural cocoa notes.
At-Home Brewing: Brew a shot of espresso, then mix it with chai tea and steamed milk.
Dalgona (Whipped Coffee)
Dalgona coffee, or whipped coffee, became famous on social media during pandemic lockdowns. It's made by whipping instant coffee, sugar, and water into a frothy foam, which is then added to milk. Did you know that the viral whipped coffee can be made with concentrated brewed coffee, too?
Grind Size: Medium grind for automatic drip brewers
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: For a tropical take, use Vanilla Macadamia Nut brewed extra strong to create the base flavor.
At-Home Brewing: Whip equal parts brewed coffee concentrate, sugar, and hot water until fluffy, then serve over cold or warm milk.
Cuban Coffee
Cuban coffee is a sweet, strong espresso whipped with sugar to create a creamy layer.
Grind Size: Fine grind for espresso.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Use Poipu Estate Espresso Roast for the intense flavor of Cuban coffee.
At-Home Brewing: Brew a shot of espresso and whip it vigorously with sugar until frothy, then serve.
Frappé (Blended Coffee)
A frappé is a blended coffee drink, often made with coffee, ice, and milk, and topped with whipped cream.
Grind Size: Medium grind for drip brewers, coarse for cold brewers.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Toasty Banana Nut Cream is the perfect choice for a sweet, refreshing frappe.
At-Home Brewing: Blend cold brew or iced coffee with ice, milk, and any sweeteners or flavors. Top with whipped cream.
Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is an unfiltered, very finely ground coffee that is simmered with sugar and water in a special pot called a cezve or ibrik. It's strong and often enjoyed with sweet treats.
Grind Size: Extra-fine grind.
Kauai Coffee Recommendation: Use Kauai Coffee Dark Roast for a robust Turkish coffee.
At-Home Brewing: Combine very extra fine ground coffee, sugar, and water in a cezve. Bring it to a simmer and serve in small cups.
Machines and Materials for Home Brewing
To brew many of these coffee drinks at home, having the right equipment is key. Here's a list of brewing essentials:
- Drip Coffee Machine: For black coffee or iced coffee.
- Espresso Machine, Moka Pot, or AeroPress: For espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos.
- Milk Frother: For creating the silky, foamy milk needed for lattes, flat whites, and cappuccinos.
- Cold Brewer: A large jar or dedicated cold brew system for smooth cold brew.
- French Press: A very versatile coffee tool for brewing strong coffee and frothing milk.
- Grinder: A good burr grinder to control your coffee's grind size is crucial for making the perfect cup of coffee. If you don't have a grinder at home, we can custom-grind our whole bean coffee for you!
Choosing the Right Grind Size
Grind size plays a critical role in how your coffee tastes, depending on the brewing method. Here's a quick guide, and you can read the complete guide here:
- Coarse Grind: Best for cold brew and French press.
- Medium Grind: Ideal for drip coffee.
- Fine Grind: Necessary for espresso-based drinks.
- Ultra-Fine Grind: Required for Turkish coffee.
Taste Paradise with Kauai Coffee
With this guide, you can confidently order your favorite coffee drinks at a café and brew them at home using Kauai Coffee beans. Whether you're savoring a simple black coffee or crafting a rich cappuccino, having the right beans, grind size, and equipment will elevate your coffee experience. Buy Kauai Coffee online and send aloha anywhere. Worldwide shipping is available.
